Christmas Gift-3 Kids All Want the Same Toys

Sounds like a good idea to only get 1 for the whole family from Santa. You can explain that Santa probably had so many kids ask for this toy, he could only bring one per family. They could each get another small gift as their own individual Santa gift. I totally agree with you that if kids get too many things, they do NOT appreciate what they have at all. I also tell my kids if they ask for something from Santa they already have a lot of (stuffed animals, barbies, etc) that Santa will know what/how much they already have and take that into consideration when he selects what to bring.

have santa bring one to all share and a little note that he had to reserve the others for other kids.

If it were me, I would get them what they wanted. It is the only time all year that we get to do this for our kids. They may not play with them for long and you may know best what they would get better use out of but in reality, the Christmas morning excitement is so fun for them. I wouldn't want to risk them being unhappy. Actually you should be thrilled that shopping for three kids is this easy, the best part is there is no way could they fight over their toys. = )

I would just make it fun for them and not over think it.

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Have Santa bring one for them to share

Sometimes the "Idea" of a toy ends up being better than the real thing. I do like the idea that you get one and leave a note that it gets shared. Especially since you know there are other things that they will appreciate more. I was going to suggest a smaller furreal pet, but you said they already have some. I do know they make knock off less expensive battery operated toys that walk on leashes...

I would either get them one that they can share - kind of like practice for having a real dog? If you were thinking of a real dog down the road. Or don't get it for any of them. You mentioned other things that they like, why not encourage that. Get the cameras, see if there are kid photography classes? Just because kids ask for toys doesn't mean that they HAVE to get THAT thing.

Just tell them the store didn't have it and Santa thought mommy was going to get it or something like that. You may let them know before they open their toys so they don't get disappointed.

If it's what they really want, why not let that be their main gift? They'll love it, and be really pleased on Christmas morning to open then and to each have their own! I think that's precious! And since they'll all have one, no doubt, they'll spend hours playing together with them. Maybe get them some inexpensive stocking stuffers that they can use to play pet store, like some dog grooming supplies from the Dollar Tree (brush, hair bows, new leash)? That would add to their "main" gift to make it even more special, and be verin inexpensive, since all that extra stuff could be bought at a dollar store!

I hardly ever got "what I wanted" for Christmas. Part of that was my fault. I had such faith in Santa's magic that I would look through toy books on Christmas Eve and write my list, then stuff it in my stocking before I went to bed. Ha ha, that really left my mom in the lurch! But you know what I learned? That it didn't matter. I learned to be happy with what I had instead of whining for what I wanted. I was never disappointed on Christmas because my mom was a great little elf and knew what I would like. So it didn't matter what was in the package, I was happy and surprised.

My husband, on the other hand, used to write out what was basically a shopping list. They were to write the item they wanted, the color, the size, etc, and those things magically appeared under the tree. He has no clue how to buy anything thoughtful for anyone, because no one in his family ever did that. Seriously, I wonder why everyone didn't just go shop for what they wanted instead of handing their shopping list to their mom!

That reminds me. My husband is always asking my kids what they want Santa to bring them. I don't. He wants them to write their letter to Santa. I don't. I buy them things I know they'll like and things I want them to have, and they are happy on Christmas morning. Honestly, I peruse thrift stores and pick things up in the Fall, then fill in the gaps at retail stores. I seriously doubt I spend $50 on each kid, much less on ONE TOY!

Also, Santa brings them each ONE gift. Why should he get the glory when it's really our money? So most of the gifts say they're from mom & dad.

I have 3 boys (6, 4, and 1) and the big ones are getting $8 Light Sabers from Santa, a crayon melter factory thing ($5 from a thrift store), and my 4 yr old really really wants a new $35 car seat even though his hasn't expired, so that's going under the tree. I have some clothes and silly bandz, plus some stocking stuffers and other small gifts. I'm also giving them each $10 to spend on gifts for each other.

You don't have to go all-out to have a great Christmas!

I would tend to do what you are thinking with buying them the other things they will enjoy and get them the dog to share. If you were getting a real dog you would not get three, you would get one. I love giving "for everyone" toys. I think it encourages charity and patience and tolerance. And less fighting in the future, it doesn't belong to any one person so they cant lawfully hide it or not share it, if it is not in use, anyone can pick it up and play with it. Go with what you think will be best for their growth be confident and they will enjoy Christmas just as much as if they all got exactly what they wanted.
Another thing that I do is rather then buying all new toys, I get amenities for the old ones, then everything gets played with again and is new in their eyes:)
Good luck!
E.